A round-up of the biggest new Premier League transfer rumours - with news from Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United, Crystal Palace and more.
It’s once again time for 3 Added Minutes’ regular morning round-up of the biggest new Premier League transfer rumours which you might have missed over the past 24 hours – and we’re kicking today’s column off with a story which involves several teams but which may be of particular interest to Liverpool supporters.
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According to Caught Offside, the Reds have taken a shine to Brentford and Italy right-back Michael Kayode, and have put him “at the top of their watchlist” as they move to strengthen a position which has become something of a problem thanks to injuries and the poor form of Jeremie Frimpong.
Michael Kayode made his senior Italy debut over the international breakplaceholder image
Michael Kayode made his senior Italy debut over the international break | Getty Images
Kayode has plenty of admirers, with Mikel Arteta seemingly paying close attention to his progress too, but it’s said that Liverpool “lead Arsenal” in the race, as well as Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United and Juventus, all of whom are said to be monitoring the 22-year-old.
Brentford have Kayode under a long contract and don’t seem to be in any hurry to sell, but it’s suggested that they could be brought to the negotiating table by a bid of €60-65m – up to £55m.
The 3AM Verdict: Kayode is a player who we know to be of interest to several sides, and we believe Liverpool to be among them, but it’s far too early to suggest that any given team is ahead in the race – no discussions appear to have taken place, no negotiations have been opened, and we’re still at the stage when teams are simply doing their due diligence. It’s unlikely that Kayode leaves Brentford this side of next summer as it stands.
Manchester United undertaking ‘surveillance’ of midfield star
Youssouf Fofana's future remains uncertain despite his move to Sevillaplaceholder image
Youssouf Fofana's future remains uncertain despite his move to Sevilla | Getty Images
Manchester United might have overhauled their midfield this summer with three new signings, but a report from TEAMtalk suggests they might not be done just yet – they allege that the Red Devils are also keen to sign Youssouf Fofana, who is currently on loan at Sevilla from AC Milan.
Sevilla, it’s said, can’t afford to sign the Frenchman permanently unless they make a major sale but Milan are keen to secure a long-term sale. As such, we’re presumably looking at a deal which wouldn’t take place until next summer, and there’s no word on the kind of transfer fee which might be involved.
Apparently United have been undertaking “comprehensive surveillance” of the 27-year-old as they determine whether to make an offer in the future. There’s no suggestion that a decision has been reached, as one might imagine.
The 3AM Verdict: This feels like an extremely speculative report, which seems to be partly based on a story from a Spanish media outlet who we aren’t familiar with. As such, we’re taking it with a pretty significant grain of salt, especially as nothing is likely to happen until next summer.
Crystal Palace to ‘consider offers’ for key forward
Jean-Philippe Mateta has only made one appearance since the World Cup due to injuryplaceholder image
Jean-Philippe Mateta has only made one appearance since the World Cup due to injury | Getty Images
We’ll wrap up with another story from Caught Offside, which this time claims that Crystal Palace are “prepared to consider offers” for striker Jean-Philippe Mateta this January – and Manchester United are among the sides who could take advantage.
Palace are supposedly “resigned to losing” the Frenchman, who would have left last January had a failed medical not scotched a move to AC Milan at the last minute. Mateta’s contract at Selhurst Park runs out at the end of the current season, and apparently the Eagles don’t want to lose him for free.
United “remain keen” on the forward as they search for some attacking depth and could make a move, although there’s no suggestion that they’ve opened talks just yet. The transfer fee that Palace might be seeking remains unreported, and no other interested parties are mentioned.
The 3AM Verdict: A few other stories doing the rounds seem to have reconfirmed that Mateta has no interest in extending his stay with Crystal Palace, so we do expect him to leave over the winter – medicals notwithstanding. Manchester United are among the teams keeping track, we believe, but they haven’t made a decision on whether to try and sign him or not.